Friday, August 3, 2012

June 17, African Church!

The following is my journal from June 17, which was the 2nd day in South Africa.

Church today was Amazing! As we drove through Diepsloot (one of the squatter camps, 250,000 people living in a 2 mile radius!) people everywhere were starring and waving at our bus. The church had different sections of carpet laid over dirt, about 2 and a half cement walls, and the rest, roof included was a tent.
Througthout the whole service, people, especially children would walk by the window and wave. There was even a little boy who stood outside blowing us kisses. At one point there were so many kids were surrounding the window,an older woman came and told them to leave.
The service, especially worship was everything I'd hoped for, full of singing and crazy, or should I say passionate, dancing. There was a point where people came forward and began a dancing, circular conga line. If you know me you wouldn't be surprised that I wanted to join so badly. I wasn't sure if I could, but a man made space and motioned for me to join. I hopped at the chance. I was the only person from my group, the only white and/or nonafrican person. Best moment of my life.
After church and going to the impact Africa cresh (school) for lunch we went down to the soccer pitch and split into our ministry groups, we only had a few minutes but it was our first time out in the community. We decided to focus on the kids that surrounded the pitch. At first there were just a few, but then there were 5, then 8, then 12! The girls loved to play with my hair, because it was light and long. They all also loved to be picked up. I picked up as many as I could. There was a boy that was a bit dirtier then the others, and had a mysterious sticky black substance on his hands and face. There was about 6 seconds where I let that bother me before I picked him up and hugged him too. When we had to leave it was hard because all the kids were following along and wanted to come with.
We also had session tonight. I chose to make a commitment to letting God use me, to work through me in ways that I could never do. I felt nudged in my heart to go pray for certain people, and as much as I didn't want to I stepped out of my comfort zone and did. A little later one of the interns came over and asked to pray for me. He said allot of stuff, but the only thing I can remember is him calling me "a dangerous weapon". I don't know why, but that really stuck out.
Ministry starts tomorrow, I'm so excited!